(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Late October’s cooler, rainy weather gave homeless men and women a new shelter option for the fall and winter months.
 
The Salvation Army has opened its cold weather shelter, which operates within the Hospitality House, 925 W. Tenth Street, San Bernardino.
 
“The cold weather shelter is to give men and women a place to stay when it’s rainy and cold,” said Roosevelt Carroll, director of Hospitality House. “Some recent nights, it has been below 46 degrees, and it gets even colder in winter. We expect to keep the cold weather shelter open until April, when the weather is consistently warm again.”
 
Up to 28 men can stay; they will be sleeping on mats in the dining room. Between nine and 15 women can stay; they will be given a bed in one of the bedrooms for the night.
 
“We will keep three rooms, with three beds apiece, open for single women who want to stay in the cold weather shelter,” Carroll said. “Nine women can stay in those rooms, and if we have another room or two available when they’re not needed by the family shelter, three to six more women can stay in them.”
 
People who want to stay at the cold weather shelter should check in at 7 p.m. on weekdays, or 8:30 p.m. on weekends. Dinner is not served to cold weather shelter guests, but breakfast is.
 
“For dinner, they can attend our community dinners at 4:45 p.m. each night in the Headquarters Building at 746 W. Fifth Street,” Carroll said
 
Women, whether single or married, also have the option of staying at The Salvation Army for up to three months until they find permanent housing, as a resident of its year-round emergency family shelter. The Salvation Army provides assistance in these women’s efforts to create a more stable housing situation for themselves and their families.
 
Only the family shelter accepts children. Families enrolled in family shelter’s program each are assigned to a bedroom, where they can keep their belongings during the day, and have privacy at night.
 
For local help, call (909) 888-1336.
 
 About the Salvations Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
 
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org <http://www.salvationarmyusa.org>  or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.